Specials

November 30, 2009

1921 Canadian Census Possible Release Date 2013

There have been many questions on mailing lists recently about the Canadian 1921 census release date. It appears we will have to wait until 2013 because according to Library and Archives Canada

Census returns after 1916 are in the custody of Statistics Canada, not Library and Archives Canada. The records are closed under the Statistics Act and the Act to Amend the Statistics Act.

The legislation does not permit the disclosure of personal information from post-1916census returns. Under the legislation, when 92 calendar years have elapsed since the taking of a census, those records will be opened for public use and transferred to Library and Archives Canada.

34 comments:

Wnat total rot! No one was promised privacy in 1921 and the records should be released to all Canadians immediately. Statistics Canada forgets they are only the stewards not the owners of the information.

Absolutely ridiculous, most from the 1921 census are not with us anymore and those that are have family values and would consent to it being release for genealogical reasons. Funny with the tech age there is no privacy but something like this is kept from us. What possibly can be so secretive that we need to protect it.

Also the transcription will take years beyond that.... Release of census information isn't the culprit here, it's the people who abuse the law...When people from other countries can get hold of information of people dead for WELL OVER a hundred years and obtain a passport allowing them into the country posing as that person...one wonders what all this overblown security is for, a facade?Time should be less wasted on small matters like withholding censuses from the good guys and more time spent keeping out the really bad guys, please...

I don't understand these negative comments........ All records are released after a certain period of time. Do you all realize that with the new privacy laws, they do not affect a census from 1921 but the census' that are taken today (May 2011 in Canada). The statue of 92 years has been in effect for a long time. 92 years from now when the May 2011 will be released there will be a lot of info not included because most people have requested it not to be released in 92 years which is sad but in this day and age we should be grateful that records from 92 years ago are available to view. As for the transcribing, people do their best but you must take into consideration that it is possible that the census taker did not put the correct spelling or had poor penmanship. I have transcribed records for familysearch.org and it is not easy at all.

Myself I have only been doing genealogy for a short time compared to some people I have been in contact with but I am grateful that these documents are available. Genealogist's 100 years from now will have I believe a much harder time getting information.

I am trying to research relatives in Canada and dont understand why there is no site for Scottish/Canadian genealogy with a simple search facility for the last relative to have lived in Scotland who emigrated to Canada. Hope I live for the 1921 census but at the moment I have to rely on the possibility of a Canadian ancestor doing a google on a common name which has not happened so far.I have been of the opinion that Canadians are just not interested but the comments on here seem to hint that they are. (Stewarts, Port Dalhouse, 1915+).

The 1940 Census is available in Canada. All you have to do is write for it. I have my Grandparents long form of the 1940 census, it gives a ton of information. I just sent a copy of my grandmothers birth cert and a copy of my birth cert and in no time had tons of information on the whole family. There is even a form to fill out on line. Happy Hunting....Chris.

I believe you're referring to the 1940 National Registration which is not a census. In Canada, census records are taken every 10 years and always in the year ending with "1" So there was a 1941 census but it is not available to the public.

The 1940 National Registration only listed individuals over the age 0f 16.

To obtain it, there are strict regulations - you must present proof of death and the person you are asking about has to be deceased for more than 20 years UNLESS it is your own record you are requesting

See http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/022/022-911.007-e.html for more details and an address for applying

I have been doing genealogical research and volunteer transcribing since 1973. Thank you to all my fellow volunteers for their tireless efforts. To some it may seem a thankless job when confronted with the thoughtless comments of some individuals. Keep up the excellent work even in the face of the literacy levels of our ancestors,the phonetic interpretations of their names and the handwriting skills of census takers and parish clerks. For those lamenting the laws of Canada perhaps they would be happier elsewhere. I for one believe in the laws of this great nation. Everyone seems focused on the apparent delays in the release of the 1921 Census. Think back, to not so long ago, when none of the Census information was available on-line and please be thankful for the strides that have been made. While we patiently wait, you may want to consult the voters lists which have been released and which I have used to locate and place many relatives post 1921. Thanks again to all the volunteers and commercial organizations working together to bring the past to life for us.

It would be helpful to have this information made available. I have been searching for my mother's family for 5 years. I had hoped to find the information while she was still alive, but sadly she has now passed away. It is ridiculous to me that census records must be kept in secret for 92 years.

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